Coral Springs, March 6, 7, 8:  Swimmers from the Florida Keys Swim Club competed in the Florida Gold Coast Short Course Junior Olympics 14 and Under Championships in Coral Springs at the Coral Springs Aquatic Complex. The Florida Keys Swim Club draws Keys kids from age 6-18 Keys-wide. Five time Olympic medalist Jon Olsen, head coach for 14 years of FKSC noted:

“We had swimmers qualify in and in compete in over 30 events –the most we have ever had.  We have been building up our team and it’s exciting to have a critical mass of swimmers competing at such a high level.”

Highlights of the meet include new FKSC records in the Boys 50 yard Freestyle, and 100 yard Freestyle by 10 year old Daniel Grant of Key Largo and in the  Girls 500 yard Freestyle by 10 year old Corley Smith of Islamorada.  Also, Abbie Sargent at age 8 was the youngest qualifier this year from FKSC, one of just three 8 year old girls competing in the entire JO meet.  Corley Smith and Abbie Sargent were joined by Olivia Sargent and Andrea McNenney-Lopez, competing in our first ever Junior Olympic Relays in the both the 200 yard Freestyle Relay and 200 yard Individual Medley Relay races, in the 10 and under age group.

A field of 838 swimmers from forty teams competed in the three-day meet.  The long course Junior Olympics meet will take place July 24-26^th and swimmers must meet a qualifying time in a 50 meter pool  for this upcoming  JO meet by age group.

The Florida Keys Swim Club will be hosting an open house at the pools April 1^st at the Ron Levy Aquatic Center at Founders Park, and April 2^nd at Jacobs Aquatic Center at Key Largo Park, at 5:30 pm for both locations.  All interested swimmers  ages 6 to 18  who are considering joining  the Florida Keys Swim Club may join the practice regardless of experience.  The open house is free, just have kids at the pool at 5:30 pm wearing a swimsuit and goggles.

About Florida Keys Swim Club: FKSC is a swim club that practices year round alternately at Founders Park  and Key Largo Park pools in the evenings.  The Florida Keys Swim Club draws Keys kids from age 6-18 keyswide.  Though tryouts are not required and participating in competition is optional, FKSC competes in USA Swimming sanctioned meets in the Florida Gold Coast region. Head Coach Jon Olsen won 4 Gold Medals and a Bronze at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games. Jon Olsen also coaches Masters Swimming at Founders Park.